The Wings announced Tuesday morning that Justin Abdelkader will miss up to two weeks with a leg laceration suffered when he was cut by a skate in Sunday's game in Chicago.

Coach Mike Babcock announced after the morning skate that defenseman Brendan Smith would play forward.

“I guess we're hard-pressed for some forwards right now with all the injuries.”

Brendan Smith

He also said Todd Bertuzzi was a game-time decision and if he can't play, Landon Ferraro would take his place.

"For sure, I was surprised," Smith told reporters. "I guess we're hard-pressed for some forwards right now with all the injuries. They see that I'm the most versatile on the back end that can step in."

Smith said he hadn't played forward since he was a teenager with line mates John Tavares and Sam Gagner with the Toronto Marlies.

According to redwings.com, Smith will skate with Luke Glendening and Teemu Pulkkinen.